For years I have wanted to do justice to a local phenomenon. Every morning and evening, if the horizon is clear, the rising and setting sun turns the cliffs around Kanab a bright red. The effect must be striking to visitors. It only lasts for the 5 minutes after sunrise or before sunset, but during this time the cliffs glow like bricks in a fireplace. If there are dark clouds above, the glow is even more pronounced.
This past Wednesday, January 27, Kanab got the biggest one-day snowfall I’ve seen in my 6 winters here – 10 inches! This was the same storm that went on to blast New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and points east with a major ice and snow storm.
The following day, I went out east of town hoping to capture sunset on the snowy cliffs. I wanted a few clouds in the sky, and it appeared I would get them. As I turned north toward the cliffs, a low overcast developed, threatening to cloud out the entire event. But on the western horizon there was a sliver of blue sky. With luck I would have a window of a few minutes of magic hour sunshine.
I chose my spot and waited. As the late afternoon wore on, the snow-covered landscape was getting pretty dim. Low hills to the west hid the sliver of clear sky on the horizon, so I couldn’t be sure I was going to get any light at all.
Then I saw the first faint sunlight on the snow at the base of the cliffs, and I knew it was gonna do it! The band of light intensified, slowly climbed the cliffs, and lit them up brilliantly against the brooding overcast. It was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen.
Yesterday I heard from the woman Kasaundra got Orpheus from. Here’s what she had to say:
“I just finally got to watch the Orpheus videos! Fantastic! Boy, Kasaundra – you have really taught him well!! I am very impressed and it looked like he and everyone was having such a great time. So wonderful to see that this sweet boy has such a loving and attentive home. I couldn’t have wished for a better home for him. 
I loved the videos!”
Marva
Looking northwest across Marble Canyon from Echo Cliffs in northern AZ.
Here’s the newest trick from the world’s coolest cat. Next month I’m going to train him to do my taxes.
Orpheus proves he’s one hip cat. Oh yeah, he’s got it goin’ on. That’s what I’m talkin’ about…
We’ll just call The Orpheus Channel “TOC” from now on. Here he’s learning dog tricks. Smart cat!
After he has jumped up on me to be cuddled, Orpheus likes to climb onto my shoulders and lay there for awhile, surveying his domain.
This cat loves to be held so much that he is constantly jumping onto you to be cuddled.
Orpheus debuts with his own channel on the first day of 2010.
Here he is in action with his favorite toy. The more spectacular leaps are performed in the bedroom where he knows all surfaces are soft, but the light for filming is not so good in there.
